A Winter Journey to Harbin: Enter the Pure White Northern World
A child from the south has always been infinitely longing for the winter of the north, looking forward to experiencing the ice and snow of the northern land.
If I had to go to one place in winter, I would go to Harbin and step into that pure white northern world—this is the most perfect winter vacation in my heart...
【China Snow Town】
The beauty of Snow Town is a romance left to us by time. In winter, snow piles up, forming "snow mushrooms" adorning the rooftops...
Every morning, the snow awakens with the curling smoke from chimneys, and every night it falls asleep with music and lights. Year after year, every winter, it repeats as usual.
Step into the fairytale winter—everything you want is here.
Address: National Forest Park, Changting Town, Hailin City, Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province
Tickets + Sightseeing Bus: 120 RMB/person
Opening Hours: All day
Best Time to Visit: December to March of the following year
Transportation: It is recommended to drive or take a direct bus. The drive from Harbin to Snow Town takes about 5 hours.
Activities: Sleep on a traditional northern kang (heated brick bed); put on colorful red and green padded jackets for a unique souvenir photo; watch the most typical northeastern "Errenzhuan" performance; experience snowmobiling on Xueyun Avenue, build snowmen, have snowball fights, and try the feature of splashing water into ice.
Must-eat: Northeastern specialty iron pot stew; Northeastern barbecue.
The night and day in Snow Town are two completely different sceneries. During the day, there is more of a living atmosphere; at night when the lights come on, it transforms into a colorful fairytale dream village.
Photography: Small snow-covered houses look great when viewed from above. There is a wooden boardwalk on the mountain, which is the best viewing spot.
If you have a drone, flying it over the street gives a better angle. Remember to keep the batteries warm in advance.
【Yaxue Service Area - Ten Mile Gallery】
Crossing the sea of forest and snow, encounter the most romantic winter.
Did you know? The place with the heaviest snowfall in China is not Snow Town, but Yaxue Service Area! Here, winter is long, with snow season lasting 7 months a year. The snow is thick and pure, without any impurities. Trees covered in rime ice are crystal clear, a masterpiece of nature...
Activities: Experience the thrill of snowmobiling; hike the Ten Mile Gallery, feeling the dream of shuttling through the sea of forest and snow.
See the small animals in the snowfield, get a glimpse of the real appearance of the northeastern mythical animal "silly roe deer".
Photography: The snow is soft and thick. Try lying on the ground to take romantic photos.
At the entrance, the "Snow Dream Space" wooden boardwalk echoes the snow-covered trees on both sides, every step a different view, truly dreamlike.
On clear days, the drone flying over the snow-covered forest and sea is extremely beautiful. But if there is strong wind on the mountaintop, try not to take off, as it's easy to lose the drone.
Address: 6 km from Snow Town Scenic Area, Hailin City, Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province, at the foot of Laotudingzi Mountain, the first peak of Longjiang.
Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours
Transportation: It is recommended to drive, navigate to "Yaxue Service Area".
Accommodation: This place is between Snow Town and Yabuli, so accommodation is usually chosen at these two spots.
"Children who grow up in Yabuli are all skilled skiers."
Thanks to natural advantages, people in Yabuli seem to be born with infinite enthusiasm and talent for skiing. Every winter, ski enthusiasts from all over the country flock here, unleashing their passion in this kingdom of snow.
The entire Yabuli Ski Resort has more than a dozen ski resorts and no fewer than fifty slopes of varying difficulty. Whether you are a skiing expert or a novice, you can always find a place that suits you here!
【Sun Island Snow Expo】
The annual Snow Expo at Harbin Sun Island is always the happiest encounter between people and snow, nature and art.
Here, see how skilled craftsmen sculpt shapeless snow piles into art. Along the way, admire abstract or giant snow sculptures—they gather together to guard the joy of northern winter. Tall snowmen standing under the blue sky become the brilliant light of this "Ice City" in winter...
【Ice and Snow World】
Coming to Harbin without visiting the famous Ice and Snow World would surely be a regret. To feel the beauty of Harbin's night, this is the place to go.
Address: Ice and Snow World, West District of Sun Island, Songbei District, Harbin City
Ticket: 293 RMB/person, includes multiple experience items such as the Ferris wheel, big slide, and ice skating rink.
Opening Hours: Opens at 11:00 (ticket sales stop at 21:00, last entry at 21:30)
Transportation: Take the subway to Ice and Snow World Station, Exit 3. A few minutes' walk from the exit will get you there.
Activities: Ride the Ferris wheel and experience the romance of the ice and snow world from high above; go ice skating on the ice rink; take the big slide (age limit: over 15). At night, after the lights come on, take photos with the colorful ice sculptures.
【Saint Sophia Cathedral】
This landmark building was built in 1907. It is one of the best-preserved Byzantine-style buildings in China. With its "tent roof" and "onion dome," it has an exotic Russian-style exterior design, magnificent and grand.
Compared to daytime, the night view here is more dreamlike and beautiful. The church becomes translucent under the lights, like a fairytale castle, yet up close it is full of historical vicissitudes and mottling...
Address: No. 88 Toulong Street, Daoli District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province
Ticket: 20 RMB/person, half price for students with ID
Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00, last admission at 16:45
Transportation: 750m walk from Exit 1 of Shangzhi Street Station on Metro Line 2.
The church has regular concert performances starting at 18:30, lasting 30-40 minutes (closed on Mondays).
【Central Street】
This commercial street with over a century of history gathers many classic European-style buildings of Renaissance, Baroque, and other styles. Every night, the entire street is resplendent with lights—a must-visit in Harbin.
Must-eat: Modern Ice Cream (马迭尔冰棍) on Central Street is a must-eat. Eating an ice popsicle on the cold street gives you a double chill, but you no longer need to worry about it melting. If you can't finish it, put it in a plastic bag and hang it on your bag; it won't change even after a whole day outside.
Candied hawthorns on a stick (Bing Tang Hu Lu), Harbin red sausage, and Russian-style western food—all are delicacies worth trying!
Ticket: Free
Opening Hours: All day
Transportation: Central Street is right next to Saint Sophia Cathedral, so you can visit both places together.
【Harbin Polarland】
If you love the pure blue of the ocean and long for the pure white of the polar regions, then Harbin Polarland is a place you cannot miss. Watch the lively spirits from the ocean leap, and see the messengers from the South Pole waddle towards you.
And the most romantic touch of this Harbin trip came from the beluga whales from the deep Arctic Ocean... For this "Heart of the Ocean," it's worth coming once.
Address: Sun Avenue, Songbei District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province
Tickets: Combo ticket 248 RMB/person for two days (Aquarium + Polar World); Polar World 193 RMB/person; Aquarium 130 RMB/person
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00-16:30; Saturday to Sunday 9:00-17:00
Transportation: Take Metro Line 2 to Sun Island Station, Exit 1, then walk 530m.
Activities: Enjoy the world's first underwater beluga performance, experiencing the romance of "Heart of the Ocean." "Taoxue Penguin" Snow Carnival Parade: every Saturday, Sunday, and Spring Festival holiday (Jan 22-27) at 13:00. Get up close to the lovely little Antarctic penguins. Try being a "keeper" and interact with seals. Watch a spectacular dolphin show.
Accommodation Recommendation: Harbin Polarland Polar Bear Hotel
Full of childlike fun! The hotel is themed with penguins and polar bears. Not to mention children, even I, a "big kid," couldn't help but take photos in the room for a long time. Most rooms are family-friendly, suitable for family trips with children. Coming to Polarland to play, this is a great accommodation choice for families with kids. The cute polar bear plush toys, childlike murals, and custom cartoon bedding in the room instantly bring back colorful childhood dreams.
At the entrance shop, you can buy exclusive Harbin Polarland plush toys of Taoxue Penguin, beluga whales, etc., which make great souvenirs or gifts.
Photography: The Aurora Pavilion is very dreamy; don't forget to take photos with the big star "Taoxue Penguin" here. As soon as the beluga performance starts, the "Heart of the Ocean" shape appears, so be sure to have your phone or camera ready in advance.
【Tips】:
Clothing advice: Outdoor temperatures of minus 20-30°C are common; be sure to keep warm and protect against the cold. However, indoors with heating it gets very warm, so dress in layers that can be easily removed! Upper body: thermal base layer + sweater + thick long down jacket. Lower body: thick fleece tights + outer pants (preferably waterproof and windproof) or long skirt (for photos). Shoes: foot warmers + long socks + snow boots. Others: scarf, gloves, wool hat, ear muffs.
When hiking in the mountains of Ten Mile Gallery, it's very cold. Remember to stick on warm packs, and don't forget scarf, gloves, hat, face mask (ski mask), and ear muffs—one cannot be missing. If you don't have enough gear, the service area can rent snow gaiters, snow boots, and cotton coats. When the weather is cold, electronics drain quickly. Remember to bring a power bank and keep your camera batteries warm.
